UFI Loan Program
With funding from NOAA B-WET, YLACES, and the Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation and support from regional partners, UFI hosts an equipment and supplies loan program that encourages hands-on learning about the Great Lakes and local watersheds.
We currently have four "packages" available for educators and students to borrow including LOOOP equipment, NY Sea Grant's Sturgeon Sack, NY's Great Lakes Ecosystem Education Exchange's Basin Bin, and a table-top watershed model. Teachers or student groups within the Onondaga, Oneida, and greater Ontario watersheds are welcome to borrow these packages at no cost! For detailed information about the contents of each package, please refer to this Google Doc.
LOOOP Equipment
This program was funded by NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program for the Great Lakes and Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists (YLACES) in 2022. Additional funding was provided by the Dreyfus Foundation in 2023.
These supplies can be used to support outdoor data collection activities including stream and weather monitoring.
Sturgeon Sack
This resource by New York Sea Grant includes a compilation of hands-on activities and resources that educators can use to introduce students to Lake Sturgeon (a species of concern across all of the Great Lakes basin). The 10 lesson plan curriculum can be scaled for different age groups and integrates reading, math, science, history, and the arts.
Basin Bin
A resource by the Great Lakes Ecosystem Education Exchange, this collection of hands-on resources includes 25 hands-on resources and 4 classroom-ready activities to help students learn more about water quality, sustainability, and other Great Lakes related topics.
Watershed Model
This hands-on model allows teachers and students to visualize a watershed and provide context for point and non-point source pollution pathways. Instructions for potential demonstrations and activities are included, but can be mixed-and-matched to best fit the needs of your students/curriculum.
Check out the FAQ below to learn more about the loan program at UFI!
What grade levels are most appropriate for these loans?
LOOOP Equipment: Scalable activities. For safety reasons, we recommend only middle - high school students enter streams to conduct monitoring.
Sturgeon Sack: Includes a middle school curriculum book, but scalable.
Basin Bin: Includes a K-8 and 9-12 curriculum book. Additional lessons and activities are primarily are middle - high school, but likely scalable.
Watershed Model: Scalable. Excellent visual for elementary and middle school students.
What can I do with the supplies from the LOOOP equipment loans?
The LOOOP equipment loans provide you with most of the supplies necessary to investigate local weather and conduct stream monitoring.
Weather: We have four Onset-HOBO Weather Stations, equipped with sensors to measure temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, and rainfall. We also have two GLOBE Cloud Charts, which can support students who utilize the GLOBE observer app.
Streams: We have supplies that allow students to measure and observe the chemical, biological, and/or physical aspects of a stream including nutrient test kits, nets, and measuring tapes. We also have a number of hip boots and knee boots, so students can enter the stream to collect data. Many teachers opt to have students rotate through stations so each can experience a different aspect of the stream. We can provide the protocols and data sheets used by the Izaak Walton League's Save Our Streams program to help guide the data collection efforts.
Can my students submit data they collect to UFI/LOOOP or other organizations?
Weather and stream data can be submitted to the LOOOP and will be displayed on our interactive webpage. Weather data collected with the weather station can be submitted either by (1) students downloading it and emailing it to the LOOOP coordinator or (2) upon return of the equipment to UFI. Stream data can be submitted to the LOOOP by entering information into this Google Form. Before the field trip, be sure to review what data is desired and proper form entry with Monica. Be aware that all data collected solely for purpose of use in the LOOOP is educational, and data quality cannot be assured. Data should be used for educational purposes only.
If you are interested in the data being used for larger participatory science projects, such as GLOBE, Izaak Walton League, or the Finger Lakes Regional Stream Monitoring Program, you will need to undergo training and/or certification first. This ensures the quality of the collected data and that it can be used for scientific and natural resource management action. See the links below to learn more about these steps for protocols available through the LOOOP Equipment loans.
Becoming a GLOBE Educator - Ability to enter data for all GLOBE protocols, become a GLOBE school, create student accounts, and enter students in the International Virtual Science Symposium
GLOBE Protocol eTraining - Online slide deck and test to certify proper data collection techniques for a variety of weather and stream protocols
Izaak Walton League's Save Our Streams Certification - Online and in-person trainings to certify proper data collection techniques for stream protocols
Finger Lakes Stream Monitoring Program - In-person training sessions held by Finger Lakes Institute annually in fall and spring. Contact Education Program Manager Nadia Harvieux for more information.
Where can I find stream and weather data that were collected with UFI's loan program?
As part of a grant from NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program for the Great Lakes, UFI developed this web application to show student users REAL data from local waterways!
Users can view a time series of data collected by students or youth via our equipment loan program. The plots are interactive, allowing users to highlight points and generate a table of information. The map shows all of the locations where data has been collected. If you'd like to contribute to this application, borrow equipment from UFI and submit stream data using this form.
You can access this interactive site here!
How do I borrow or reserve a package from UFI?
You can check the potential availability of items by accessing the calendar below, but check with the LOOOP coordinator via email to ensure the calendar and items requested are up to date. To borrow a package, email Monica with (1) your desired package/items, (2) your desired dates, and (3) class size(s). She can also provide some assistance in regards to planning an outdoor stream monitoring field trip and other outdoor learning activities.
Once your request has been finalized, a time, date, and location for dropoff/pickup will be coordinated.
How long can I borrow supplies from UFI?
The typical loan period is 2 weeks. This time frame, however, can be extended or shortened upon request and based on demand.
Can I reserve multiple packages at one time?
Yes, as long as there are enough supplies available for all requested loans at that time. If there are multiple packages available with activities you would like to blend, you are welcome to do so. Just be sure to return all items as they were originally provided.
We only have one Sturgeon Sack, Basin Bin, and Watershed Model. We do have duplicates of LOOOP equipment, so either larger groups or multiple groups may be accommodated at one time.
Can I reserve only select items from each package?
The Sturgeon Sack, Basin Bin, and Watershed Model can only be borrowed in its entirety. The LOOOP equipment can be borrowed "à la carte" in order to best fit the needs of your classroom (i.e., number of students, topic of interest, etc.). You may find that the Basin Bin or Sturgeon Sack contains items that can be used for outdoor data collection; we recommend reviewing the detailed information about each of our packages to learn how multiple packages can be used at one time.
Can UFI staff assist me on the day of outdoor field trips or present to my students in the classroom?
Potentially! When you are requesting items, please feel free to extend an invitation to UFI staff.
Depending on the requested amount of time, location of the outdoor field trip, and UFI's internal schedule, 1-2 UFI staff may be able to assist with outdoor field trips. We enjoy these opportunities to connect with students and demonstrate potential academic/career paths; however, we may not be able to accommodate everyone's requests for on-site assistance. We are more than happy to help you plan outdoor field trips and provide you with community contacts who may be able to assist on-site during outdoor field trips.
UFI staff may also be available for in-classroom presentations and demonstrations, please email Monica for inquiry.
